Dissident republicans 'brought in arms last week'

Dissident republicans brought an arms cache into Northern Ireland only last week, Britain's House of Commons was told tonight.

Democratic Unionist the Rev William McCrea made the claim during debate on the emergency bill paving the way for power-sharing from May 8.

He also accused Sinn Féin chief negotiator Martin McGuinness of having been a "terrorist" and a "murderer" with blood on his hands.

In an emotional speech, Mr McCrea (S Antrim) said Sinn Féin had to unequivocally back the police and republicans had to give up all their weapons.

"I am led to believe that last week dissident republican groupings brought in a cache of arms.

"This has not been published as yet but there was a cache of arms brought into republican hands.

"What is the Government going to do about it," he demanded.